About the project
This project explores fraud (UK’s fastest-growing type of crime) and asks what impact media representations of such things as scams, cons and swindles have on systems of fraud and their resilience. In short, do the representations encourage the resilience of fraud or the public’s resilience to the impacts of fraud?
This project considers why traditional law enforcement measures have struggled to dismantle systems of fraud, a crime with a long and established history. Fraud is a very fluid criminal entity, that merges and aligns quickly to technological developments or social change. Therefore, the project seeks to examine the role of social media, television and podcasts in the durability and innovation of fraud, as well as reactions to fraud by those targeted by it. Do media representations of fraud increase public awareness of potential scams or inform them on how to respond to fraud? Do these narratives help fraud victims feel less alone and make them more likely to work through their experiences? Or, can the media fuel a seemingly unstoppable and impenetrable system of resilience?
This 3-year project will take an interdisciplinary approach drawing on Criminology, Media and Communications, and Television Studies to develop novel contributions to resilience studies. The project will have the potential to combine qualitative and quantitative methods to generate and analyse findings from media content, UK audiences and media creators.
In addition, you will be expected to engage with the Institute of Criminal Justice Research and the Centre for International Film Research at the University of Southampton in expanding and furthering the project and their career development. Both groups include experienced, mid and new researchers, run regular seminars and offer a wealth of knowledge, support and advise.
